Denali Goes to His First CDI
This horse has changed me. I’ve learned SO many things from working with him, and I’m super proud of who I have become and how he has developed over the last couple of years.
If you read my blog post from April of 2022, you’ll know that he’s always been a bit of an anomaly. He’s not laid back really, but he’s a pretty cool customer. When we flew to Germany he was totally fine on the flight; like, eating his hay and just another day. That was interesting.
In Germany, Michael Klimke rode him a bit. He was able to feel what I was experiencing and help me in my daily rides. Denali’s heaviness in my hands and reluctance to really bend right made me think he was a “man’s ride,” something I never really considered before, but it turns out, that’s not true at all. Denali is a super sensitive guy. It’s just in a very different way than most horses.
He’s been really fun to ride with my biomechanics coaches, Suzanne von Dietze and Susanne Galdun, because even the tiniest of changes in my position bring instant feedback from Denali. Learning to ride this horse the way he needs to be ridden has been super fun for me!
He was also challenging because the usual methods of praise to encourage him just didn’t land with him. For example, it took a while to teach him the flying change. At one point, I tried dismounting and ending for the day; that didn’t work. I tried giving him a cookie after a clean change. Nope, he loved the cookie, but he just never put together that he had done something I had asked for and I was pleased about it.
We used to say that the best thing about Denali was that he didn’t really care one way or the other. But also the worst thing about Denali was that he didn’t really care one way or the other.
But, we kept at it. I’m super proud to say that we’ve finally cracked the code. He’s learned about positive reinforcement and finally really gets it. He has become SO personable, he loves to visit with everyone and watch everything going on.
This horse LOVES to go to work every day. And I love riding him; we’re really becoming partners and I’m feeling a shift in him that is just inspiring and makes me really proud of him. He is truly becoming more of himself as he develops into a top athlete.
I was able to show him a couple of times at S level in Germany and he did quite well there. (S level is like an “easier” Prix St. George test). This past January we did our first FEI level tests here in Wellington.
After one PSG at the National level, Michael really wanted me to go to a CDI. The mark of a great coach is they know when to push a little, and even though I wasn’t certain, I trust Michael, so I decided to give it a go. So we went to his first CDI in early February. Feeling him really try for me in that ring was amazing. The test was great and the icing on the cake was a good score and placing in a large class.
Two weeks later, we did our first I1 in the CDI arena. For me, Denali knocked it out of the park! He earned a 65+% and came in 4th in a very competitive class. His first I1!! And a CDI!
He blew me away with how he just rose to the occasion and gave it his all. Feeling this horse who didn’t really care one way or the other just a few years ago, make an effort and try for me was just incredible!
And while the future looks bright with this fancy young man, I will never forget the lessons he taught me about seeking help from somewhere I may not have before (ground work!), and that truly chipping away and taking as long as it takes, eventually you come out the other side.
I hope Denali’s story inspires you as much as it does me! Make it a great day!
